Automated electronically controlled microsprayer
First Claim
1. A dispenser apparatus for periodic controlled dispensing of a chemical in a liquid form which comprises:
- (a) a sealed container having an orifice which allows a pressurized gas to be provided in the container, the container being configured to hold the pressurized gas and the chemical in the liquid form;
(b) adaptor means configured to be sealingly connected to the orifice;
(c) a nozzle sealingly connected to the adaptor means for the dispensing, wherein the nozzle comprises;
(i) a body with a passage therethrough;
(ii) a valve moveable in the passage of the body to open and close the passage;
(iii) a solenoid coil with electrical leads to the coil mounted on the body, so that the coil provides a continuous circuit to the valve which is moved upon application of a current through the coil; and
(iv) a bias means mounted in the body which holds the valve in a closed position when the current is not applied through the coil; and
(d) a control means for supplying current to the coil to move the valve against the bias means to open the passage in the body of the nozzle and allows the chemical in the liquid form to be dispensed periodically from the container through the passage in the body of the nozzle, wherein the control means is a self-contained circuit which is connected to the nozzle and supplies the current periodically to the coil on a pre-programmed schedule, wherein the control means is controlled by an electromagnetic wave transmitter controlling a receiver connected to the coil of the nozzle on the container which control means when activated by the transmitter, allows current to flow to the coil thus moving the valve to open the passage in the nozzle.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electronically controlled micro-dispensing apparatus (10) is described. The apparatus includes a container (12), an adaptor (18), a nozzle (28) and a control circuit (34 or 42). The container is filled with the chemical (104) and propellant (102). The adaptor, nozzle and control circuit are removable from the container and are reusable. The control circuits controls the length of pulse and the time duration between each pulse. By controlling these factors, the apparatus dispenses a precise amount of liquid over a set time period. The ejector allows for controlled dispensing and allows the liquid to be sprayed a greater distance. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus are used to dispense a pheromone in an outdoor setting, such as an orchard (100), to control insects.
67 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A dispenser apparatus for periodic controlled dispensing of a chemical in a liquid form which comprises:
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(a) a sealed container having an orifice which allows a pressurized gas to be provided in the container, the container being configured to hold the pressurized gas and the chemical in the liquid form;
(b) adaptor means configured to be sealingly connected to the orifice;
(c) a nozzle sealingly connected to the adaptor means for the dispensing, wherein the nozzle comprises;
(i) a body with a passage therethrough;
(ii) a valve moveable in the passage of the body to open and close the passage;
(iii) a solenoid coil with electrical leads to the coil mounted on the body, so that the coil provides a continuous circuit to the valve which is moved upon application of a current through the coil; and
(iv) a bias means mounted in the body which holds the valve in a closed position when the current is not applied through the coil; and
(d) a control means for supplying current to the coil to move the valve against the bias means to open the passage in the body of the nozzle and allows the chemical in the liquid form to be dispensed periodically from the container through the passage in the body of the nozzle, wherein the control means is a self-contained circuit which is connected to the nozzle and supplies the current periodically to the coil on a pre-programmed schedule, wherein the control means is controlled by an electromagnetic wave transmitter controlling a receiver connected to the coil of the nozzle on the container which control means when activated by the transmitter, allows current to flow to the coil thus moving the valve to open the passage in the nozzle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for dispensing a chemical in a liquid form which comprises the steps of:
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(a) providing a dispenser apparatus comprising a sealed container having an orifice and which can hold a pressurized gas and the chemical in the liquid form;
adaptor means configured to be sealingly connected to the orifice;
a nozzle sealingly configured to be connected to the adaptor means of the container, wherein the nozzle comprises;
(i) a body with a passage therethrough;
(ii) a valve, moveable in the passage of the body to open and close the passage;
(iii) a solenoid coil with electrical leads to the coil mounted on the body so that the coil provides a continuous circuit surrounding the valve body which is moved upon application of a current through the coil; and
(iv) bias means mounted in the body which holds the valve in a closed position when the current is not flowing through the coil;
self-contained circuit mounted by the container for controlling the nozzle wherein the self-contained circuit is controlled by an electromagnetic wave transmitter controlling a receiver connected to the coil of the nozzle on the container which self-contained circuit when activated by the transmitter, allows current to flow to the coil thus moving the valve to open the passage in the nozzle; and
(b) activating the apparatus with the transmitter so that the self-contained circuit supplies current periodically to the coil on a pre-programmed schedule to move the valve against the bias means to open the passage in the nozzle so that the chemical in the liquid form and the pressurized gas are dispensed periodically from the container through the passage in the body of the nozzle. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A dispenser apparatus for periodic controlled dispensing of a chemical in a liquid form which comprises:
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(a) a sealed container having an orifice which allows a pressurized gas to be provided in the container, the container being configured to hold the pressurized gas and the chemical in the liquid form;
(b) adaptor means configured to be sealingly connected to the orifice;
(c) a nozzle sealingly connected to the adaptor means for the dispensing wherein a sidewall of the adaptor means surrounding the cavity has a slot extending through the sidewall into the cavity and wherein a lock ring is slid through the slot to engage the body of the nozzle to secure the nozzle in the cavity of the adaptor means, wherein the nozzle comprises;
(i) a body with a passage therethrough;
(ii) a valve moveable in the passage of the body to open and close the passage;
(iii) a solenoid coil with electrical leads to the coil mounted on the body, so that the coil provides a continuous circuit to the valve which is moved upon application of a current through the coil; and
(iv) a bias means mounted in the body which holds the valve in a closed position when the current is not applied through the coil; and
(d) a control means for supplying current to the coil to move the valve against the bias means to open the passage in the body of the nozzle and allows the chemical in the liquid form to be dispensed periodically from the container through the passage in the body of the nozzle, wherein the control means is a self-contained circuit which is connected to the nozzle and supplies the current periodically to the coil on a pre-programmed schedule, wherein the control means is controlled by an electromagnetic wave transmitter controlling a receiver connected to the coil of the nozzle on the container which control means when activated by the transmitter, allows current to flow to the coil thus moving the valve to open the passage in the nozzle. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification